Adjustable shoe tree



Jan. 4, 1944. J. FITZ PATRICK 2,338,105

ADJUSTABLE SHOE TREE Filed April 9; 1943 INVENTOR.

i" H v naw Patented Jan. 4-, 1944 UNITED wars STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SHOE TREE Application April 9, 1943, Serial No. 483,116

2 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in an adjustable shoe tree having a fore part and a heel part relatively movable towards or away from one another between extended and retracted positions.

The essential object of the invention is to provide a simple and eifective means for adjustably separating the fore part of the tree from the heel part for relatively lengthening the tree, or for effecting a quick release of the fore part enabling its return to its normal retracted position with relation to the heel part, and especially to provide a construction by which the fore part will maintain without back slip any adjusted position to which it may have been movedas the tree is used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction, or assemblage of parts, that may be made entirely of wood.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawing in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of the shoe tree.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. l but longitudinally cross sectioned in part.

Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 2 excepting that the fore part has been projected, thereby increasing the overall length of the tree; and

Fig. 4. is a fragmentary plan of certain of the operating parts.

Referring to the drawing: I represents the heel part of the shoe tree, and 2 the fore part. The parts are held in aligned position by an interposed bar 3, and movable towards or away from one another between relatively extended and retracted positions. The longitudinal axis of the bar 3 extends preferably along the longitudinal axis of the tree, or parallel to it.

The fore end of the bar 3 is socketed within a cutout 4 in the fore part of the tree and turns on a cross pin, or axis 5, substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the bar. The socketing of the fore part of the bar within the cutout 4 is such that the fore end of the bar in its relation to the fore part of the tree will be retained against lateral displacement, the fit being a relatively snug fit. The bar 3 is also socketed to have a sliding fit within a cutout 5 in the heel part, thus maintaining the parts at all times in proper aligned position. The bar 3 is preferably a cylindrical bar and the cutout 6 in the heel part is formed by a boring inwardly from its fore end.

The rear end of the bar 3 has an inclined or bevelled face 1, the bevel extending from the top of the bar, thence inclined to its rear end. The inclination is preferably one of about 45.

Arranged in the heel part so that it may have driving engagement with the inclined end of the bar 3 is a screw 8 bearing upon its top end a knob 9 by which it may be turned. The screw is threaded to pass through the heel part of the tree in the portion thereof lying above the inclined bevelled end of the bar 3 so that when the screw is turned its end I!) will engage the bevelled or inclined end of the bar 3. The bar 3 is preferably horizontally arranged and the screw 8, preferably turning on a vertical axis, has such angular relationship to the inclined surface 1, against which the end of the screw has bearing, that the screw when turned down will engage the end of the bar 3 in the manner of a Wedge, thus projecting the bar 3 and projecting the fore part of the tree away from the heel part to various adjusted positions, depending upon the amount of turning of the screw. The engaging end I!) of the screw is preferably made cone-shaped with substantially the same inclination as that of the surface 1 against which the end has bearing, in order that the bearing of the end of the screw may be continuous as the screw is turned, and friction be reduced in so far as possible.

The location of the screw is such that when the two parts of the tree are in retracted position the end of the screw will then be engaging the top end portion of the inclined surface I against which it has bearing, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, thus enabling considerable latitud in extension of the tree as displacement of the bar 3 and projection of the fore part of the tree continues as the end of the screw moves down the inclined surface against which it has bearing as the screw is tightened. The location of the screw is, also, preferably such that its end will have bearing against the inclined end of the bar 3 along a path lying within a vertical plane passing through substantially the axis of the bar 3 and that of the screw. Such disposition would then be one in which the center of pressure between the screw and bar would be at substantially dead center, consequently there could be no back slip of the fore part when projected, and the fore part would maintain any adjusted position to which it has been moved. There will be no back slip of the fore part in any event even though the end of the screw has an off center bearing against the end of the bar inasmuch as any forces which might cause such back slip will be unable to overcome the friction between the end of the screw and that of the bar, and between that of the screw and the threaded socket within which it is turning. A quick release of the fore part from any advance position to which it may have been moved to one of full retracted position with relation to the heel part is obtained simply by reverse turning of the screw.

For holding together the two parts of the shoe tree when not in use the bar 3 is provided with a slot l2 through which passes a pin [3 in the heel part.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable shoe tree the combination comprising an aligned fore part and heel part movable towards and away from one another between extended and retracted positions, said heel part having a cutout in it, a bar pivotally retained to turn on said fore part and be slidable within the cutout in said heel part, a screw threaded to pass through said heel part from above the cutout therein and enter said cutout, and means including an inclined face and element engaging said face whereby a wedging action against the end of said bar will be exerted by said screw upon the tightening thereof and said bar be forwardly projected for projecting said fore part away from said heel part depending upon the amount of turning of said screw.

2. In an adjustable shoe tree the combination comprising an aligned fore part and heel part movable towards and away from one another between extended and retracted positions, said heel part having a cutout in it, a bar pivotally retained to turn on said fore part and be slidable within th cutout in said heel part, the rear end of said bar presenting an inclined face, a screw threaded to pass through said heel part above the inclined rear end face of said bar and engage said bar as said screw is turned with a wedging action whereby said bar will be projected for projecting said fore part away from said heel part in an amount depending upon the amount of turning of said screw.

JEREMIAH FITZPATRICK. 

